Official Combustion (New Formula) Write Up!

So, as those of you who have seen us posting about this for the last couple of months know, the knew Combustion is finally ready for release! And with that release, comes all kinds of new information, some of you may have seen the ingredient profile linked in this forum, and I'm sure there are some things in there that few of you recognize. So, we're here to release all of those details!

Combustion is a new and exciting fat burning/fat prevention formula from BPS. It works to increase lipolysis and adrenergic stimulation, all while working to prevent redeposition of fat (fat gain) in the body.

Morus Alba (20:1 Extract)
Sourced from a specific mulberry tree native to China, Morus Alba is an exciting ingredient backed by quite a bit of research elucidating several potential benefits.

We'll start with direct implications on fat loss. MA has been shown to lower blood glucose, while reducing oxidative stress in the liver (1). Decreasing glucose encourages the body to be in a better metabolic position to access stored fat as a fuel source. It has since been shown in multiple studies to have a direct effect on fat loss by upregulating beta oxidation, by increasing expression of PPARa and COMT1, while simultaneously decreasing expression of Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) (2–5). In simple terms, this means an increase in fat burning with a concurrent decrease in fat storage.

Recently, researchers discovered that MA had the ability of preventing pre-adipocytes from becoming mature fat cells (6). Intrigued by these results, those same researchers performed a follow up study to see how that actually played out as far as fat loss. What they found, was that when two groups were overfed, the group treated with MA gained 27% less weight, 15% less visceral (deep) fat, and the existing visceral fat cells reduced in size by almost 50% (7). It also appears that MA helps regulate adipokine functioning, preventing dysregulation that can potentially lead to increased fat gain due to excessive signaling of the fat storage cytokines, so basically "cleaning house" in the fat cells (8).

In addition to the fat loss benefits, MA has quite a bit of supportive data backing it as an effective regulator of blood lipids. It has been shown to be anti-hyperlipidemic, enhance the function of the LDL receptors (decreased function tends to upregulate LDL cholesterol production), increase the blood clearance of LDL cholesterol, and decrease actual production of LDL (9). Far more important than lowering LDL-C (which is nice, but doesn't necessarily reduce risk for heart disease), MA has been shown to lower LDL oxidation and foam cell formation (10). Foam cells are the immune derived cells that come in help and "patch things up" and swallow up oxidized LDL cholesterol at the damaged sites of fatty buildup in the arterial wall. Foam cells are more of a marker for arterial damage than they are the cause of damage, but they also can be dangerous themselves when they accumulate at one site. Another similar study noted that MA was able to significantly reduce susceptibility to LDL oxidation as well as decrease atherosclerotic lesion area (think of a wound in the arterial wall), by over 50% (11).

Alstonia Scholaris
Alstonia scholaris is a specific tree from the Apocynaceae family, native to Southern parts of Asia. Several studies have demonstrated potential mechanisms of AS to aid in fat loss, as well as improve general health, and even boost performance.

AS has been identified as a b2 adrenergic receptor agonist, acting on the same fat cell receptor as clenbuterol to aid in fat loss (12). This also gives it bronchodilatory, anti-asthmatic and anti-tussive properties (13). Multiple other studies have confirmed this b2-AR mediated effect while also favorably modulating nitric oxide an prostaglandins, making it a solid choice for potential fat loss and performance enhancement (14,15).

A recent study found that AS acted as an adaptogen, aiding in the body's return to equilibrium from stress by regulating various catecholamines and neurotransmitters. The researchers even referred to it as having nootropic properties due to its ability to improve memory during stress. It also demonstrated free radical savaging abilities and helped to normalize stress induced cholesterol elevations (16).

In addition to confirming its antioxidant status, a 2012 review supported the use of AS for blood sugar/insulin reduction as an anti-diabetic agent, which has been used for this purpose in traditional medicine in certain communities for decades (14). Again, better blood sugar management sets the stage for better access to stored body fat. Aside from the b2-agonism, free radical scavenging, lipid regulation, cognitive enhancement and blood sugar management, a recent review of Alstonia also noted anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic and analgesic properties (17). It would appear that Alstonia has quite a bit up its sleeve.

Higenamine
Also known as norcoclaurine, Higenamine is a major active component from aconite root, but can be found in at least seven different plants. Initial research on Higenamine was promising as it appeared to have similar effects to everybody's favorite fat burner ephedrine, but not until recently (literally just a few months ago as of the time of this publication) did we have legitimate human data. Previous data earned it a classification as a beta2-AR agonist (like the asthma drug and popular fat burner clenbuterol), which awarded it some attention from physique athletes in the past few years (18). Now we have some interesting real world data showing that a higenamine based combination product increased blood free fatty acids (FFA's) as well as energy expenditure after an overnight fast, versus the placebo group (19). It is important to remember that increasing blood FFA's is only the first step in fat burning (lipolysis), but the study did also note an actual increase in calories burned. Also recognize that this study was done with a combination product where the other ingredients (caffeine and yohimbine) more than likely contributed to the effect. However, caffeine is included in Combustion and we feel the other ingredients in our formula can more than match the effect of yohimbine without the possible undesirable elevation in heart rate and blood pressure common to many users.

Forskolin
It's no secret that forskolin has been widely recognized in the research as an effective lipolytic for over 30 years. Although we will not be taking an exhaustive appraisal of the research, as far back as 1987, we have data showing forskolin to be effective at reducing subcutaneous fat when applied transdermally (20). One of the main mechanisms of action is through activating adenylate cyclase which upregulates cyclic AMP production in fat cells, although other mechanisms are thought to exist (21,22).

So what does that actually mean for fat loss? One unpublished study out of Japan in 2001 showed a modest decrease in body fat in the subjects taking a forskolin product, which, while interesting, probably didn't serve much purpose other than to spawn further research due to several uncontrolled variables. Another study in 2005 showed that 12 weeksk of forskolin supplementation favorably altered body composition while boosting free testosterone and bone density in males (23). And a brand new (Feb. 2014) study attempted to fatten up rats and track the effects of various compounds on weight gain. The researchers found that forskolin was indeed able to prevent weight gain compared to controls (24).

b-PEA
While the research on b-PEA has traditionally focused on neurochemistry, it does possess some potentially potent benefits as a fat loss aid while concurrently improving mood. Through elevation of catecholamines like epinephrine and norepinephrine, b-PEA can contribute to activating beta adrenergic receptors in fat cells to kick start lipolysis while increasing expression of HSL (25). b-PEA anecdotally tends to act as an appetite suppressant in most users, making it easier to stick to a hypocaloric eating plan, which has been verified in rats (26). It is also widely recognized to improve mood even at low doses, however the effect is short lived without the presence of a MAO-b inhibitor. Combustion does include piperine, a nonselective MAOI, which while not nearly as potent as a prescription selective MAO-b inhibitor, will help to keep the mood enhancing effect of b-PEA active longer, coupled with the recommended protocol of taking three doses per day (27).

Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the most thoroughly researched compounds available for fat loss and performance enhancement. Here's some bullet points to summarize the immense data:

· Increased cellular oxygen uptake during exercise.
· Allows ability to perform more exercise with no increased sensation of effort
· Moderate doses improve performance just as much as high doses
· Blunts perceived exertion and pain perception, provides a more positive subjective experience while training .
· Shown to be ergogenic in intense exercise ranging from 4-180 seconds, and improves performance in single and multiple sprint intervals .
· Redosing caffeine six hours later not necessary to maintain increased performance in two-a-day workouts .
· Significantly improves time to exhaustion during exercise, even when taken four hours prior to workout .
· Increased thermogenesis
· Retention of muscle while hypocaloric
· Increased fat oxidation

(28–36)

Piperine
You'll see piperine included in many ergogenic supplements these days, mainly to enhance the absorption and concentration in the bloodstream of other nutrients, which it does a great job of assuming the nutrient in question is broken down by a particular class of liver enzymes .

We've included piperine for this purpose, but also it's potential effects to increase fat loss and blood lipids on its own, according to recent research. While most of the current research has been using animal studies, the results are compelling.

In two recent studies, when attempting to fatten up mice, researchers found that piperine was able to improve insulin sensitivity and favorably modulate AMPK and adiponectin (37,38). Another very recent study overfed rats a bunch of carbs and fat for 16 weeks, and found that piperine was able to prevent damage over the control group to just about everything you can imagine; blood pressure, inflammation, oxidative stress, liver enzymes, and heart function (39). Multiple other studies have shown improvements in general health parameters like oxidative stress and dyslipidemia during overfeeding when compared to non-piperine controls (40,41). Another study using carbohydrate and fat overfeeding showed that piperine was able to significantly decrease body weight and visceral fat compared to controls (42).

As well, Piperine has been included in the formula for its Monoamine-Oxidase inhibitory properties. Monoamine Oxidade (also known as MAO) is an enzyme responsible for the rapid breakdown of biactive amines (dopamine, etc) and Catecholamines. It is also the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of b-PEA. Inhibition of this enzyme allows for the b-PEA to remain active for longer periods of time.

So there it is! If any of you still have any questions about this amazing new product from BPS, we will be here to answer them!